Breaking: Trey Hendrickson turns down $28M from Bengals, future in Cincinnati now uncertain

Trey Hendrickson has officially turned down a $28 million-per-year offer from the Cincinnati Bengals, intensifying his contract holdout and casting serious doubt over his future with the team. Despite leading the NFL in sacks last season, the star EDGE rusher remains unsigned long-term, fueling speculation that one of Cincinnati’s most dominant defenders could be on his way out in 2025.Trey Hendrickson isn’t just another pass rusher, he’s the most productive EDGE defender in the NFL over the last two seasons. After posting a league-leading 17 sacks in 2024 and a staggering total of 35 since 2023, Hendrickson has become the anchor of a Bengals defense that desperately needs his presence.Yet, despite his performance, the Bengals have reportedly offered just $28 million annually—a figure well below market value for a player of Hendrickson’s caliber. While the deal would place him eighth among NFL EDGE defenders in annual salary, it still falls short of what most believe he’s worth in today’s rising salary cap environment.According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Hendrickson isn’t demanding to surpass Myles Garrett’s record-setting $40 million AAV. Instead, he’s seeking multi-year security that reflects his elite status and long-term impact in Cincinnati.“He would like to get a multi-year deal that gives him security and keeps him in Cincinnati,” Pelissero stated on The Rich Eisen Show. “Bengals just have not stepped up with significant enough of an offer for him to take it.”The Bengals’ hesitation to lock in Trey Hendrickson is raising concerns—especially after their defense struggled during the 2024 season. With Joe Burrow returning healthy, Cincinnati is back in win-now mode. Losing their top defensive player could seriously hurt those chances. Hendrickson, one of the NFL’s most reliable edge rushers, recorded double-digit sacks in multiple seasons and remains the cornerstone of Cincinnati’s pass rush.Also Read: Michael Penix Jr. takes over as Falcons’ starting QB; $27.5M Kirk Cousins moved to backup roleTo make matters worse, stars like T.J. Watt are also due for new deals, and market prices are rising. If the Bengals wait too long, they risk overpaying later or losing Hendrickson entirely. And if that happens, the Bengals may find out just how hard it is to replace a true game-changer off the edge.